Communities in Chikwawa Call for Reopening of Admarc Market for Access to Maize

CHIKWAWA, Malawi - Communities in the Group Village Headman Mkumaniza area of Senior Chief Ngabu in Chikwawa have urged the government to consider reopening the Admarc market in the area to provide closer access to maize, a staple food, writes Cornelius Lupenga.

The traditional leader echoed the call on Sunday when Water and Sanitation Minister Abida Sidik Mia presented food and non-food items to people affected by cyclone Freddy.

"We have no place to secure maize as there is no Admarc market," he said.

In her remarks, Mia assured the communities that the government would reopen the Mkumaniza Admarc market, which had ceased operations some time ago.

Mia, who is also the lawmaker for Chikwawa Nkombezi constituency, acknowledged the absence of an Admarc market in the area.

"I will contact the authorities to ensure that the market is reinstated in the area," she assured the people.

The minister also pledged to provide safe and clean water to the communities in the area.

"I am going to sink boreholes in this area so that women and girls have access to water at a shorter distance," said Mia.

Earlier, Senior Chief Ngabu condemned the recent theft of borehole parts, which has left people without water.

"Let us protect our own properties which are meant for social services," he told the gathering.